Brazil striker Robinho given prison sentence for 2013 rape

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Brazilian footballer Robinho has been sentenced to nine years in prison for taking part in the gang rape of a woman in Milan in 2013.

A Milan court ruled Robinho and five other Brazilians assaulted the woman, who was 22 at the time, after plying her with alcohol at a nightclub. The whereabouts of Robinho's five companions is not known, so their trial has been put on hold.

Robinho, 33, who currently plays with Atletico Mineiro in Brazil, pleaded not guilty via his lawyer and never appeared at any of the court hearings in northern Italy.

Robinho scored 28 goals in 100 games for Brazil /VCG Photo

He has a right to two appeals and Italy would only launch extradition proceedings once this legal process is exhausted, a legal source said.

The Milan court ordered the victim to receive 60,000 euros as compensation for her suffering.

Robinho, who also played for Real Madrid and Manchester City, has made 100 appearances for the Brazil national team and scored 28 goals.

Robinho won the Chinese Super League and AFC Champions League with Guangzhou Evergrande in the 2015 season. /VCG Photo

He won Serie A during his subsequent spell at Milan, but returned to Santos for another loan spell in August 2014 before joining Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande in July 2015, and signed a six-month contract with the club

The Brazilian striker made 10 appearances and scored three goals in the CSL, earning the Chinese Super League title and AFC Champions League trophy in the 2015 season.

When his sixth-month deal expired, he moved back to Brazil, joining Atletico Mineiro on a two-year deal.